8 days in Island of Hawaii Itinerary

Thanks to its favorable location near a mountain range blocking the northeasterly trade winds, Kailua-Kona gets little rainfall, allowing adventure seekers and nature lovers a chance to enjoy over 300 days of sunshine each year.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Sun): fulfill a lifelong dream with a swim-with-the-dolphins experience. On the 15th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: identify plant and animal life at Kanaloa Octopus Farm, get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, and then enjoy the sand and surf at White Sand Beach.

To find ratings, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Kailua-Kona online trip itinerary builder.

San Francisco to Kailua-Kona is an approximately 8.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Pacific Standard Time to Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time is minus 2 hours. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from San Francisco in July, with highs in Kailua-Kona at 86°F and lows at 76°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Tue) so you can drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes have played an important role in shaping the Earth, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park shows visitors the process in action.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Wed): take in the dramatic natural features at Holei Sea Arch, then cruise along Chain of Craters Rd, then shop like a local with Volcano Art Center Gallery, and finally contemplate the geological forces at Kīlauea.

For reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, use the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tour itinerary builder site.

Getting from Kailua-Kona to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Kailua-Kona in July, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is little chillier at night with lows of 71°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Hilo.

One of the island of Hawaii's major towns, Hilo contains a mix of Asian and Polynesian cultures and is known for its proximity to a national park encompassing two active volcanoes.

You'll enjoy a bit of beach vacationing at Richardson Beach Park and Carlsmith Beach Park. Pacific Tsunami Museum and Extreme Exposure Fine Art Gallery will appeal to museum buffs. Get out of town with these interesting Hilo side-trips: Laupahoehoe Beach Park (in Laupahoehoe), Waipiʻo Valley Lookout (in Honokaa) and Hawaiian Vanilla Company (in Paauilo). There's still lots to do: immerse yourself in nature at Akaka Falls State Park, admire the verdant scenery at Waipio Valley, explore the striking landscape at Kapoho Tide Pools, and admire the natural beauty at Liliuokalani Gardens.

To find where to stay, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Hilo online attractions planner.

Traveling by car from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to Hilo takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus. In July, daytime highs in Hilo are 85°F, while nighttime lows are 71°F. On the 21st (Sun), you'll have the morning to explore before heading back home.